Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Using a Feng Shui Compass

What should you look for in a feng shui compass and how should you use it?A feng shui compass is a very helpful element when it comes to finding out the location and orientation of a house or building. It will allow you to apply feng shui guidelines in an accurate manner since it will provide you with knowledge on the exact orientation your house has.There are different kinds of compasses, and . . .

Feng Shui Colors And What They Represent

Feng shui colors knowledge can allow you to choose the right colors to create harmony in any living or working space as well as it can be used with anything that involves choosing colors. According to feng shui colors specifications, colors should not be used randomly but according to what they represent.Each one of the five elements, water, wood, fire, earth and metal are represented by differ. . .

Have You Considered These Space-Saving Bed Designs To Max...

Vertical and functional space planning are two of the most overlooked areas in most households interior design layout. In this article we'll discuss how to double the functional space in the bedrooms of your house. Think VerticalEffective space planning and interior design requires that you plan in three dimensions - so start thinking about the space above your head and higher up on the walls.. . .

Electrical Safety in the home

Electricity is a wonderful part of our lives, clearly enabling us to do so many of the things we take for granted. Food preparation, entertainment, communication, and so much more are all dependent upon the delivery of electricity. And yet, coming into direct contact with electrical current can severely injure you. In some cases, it can even kill you. Here are some things you can do to keep saf. . .

Fresh Flowers Aren’t Just for the Dining Room Table

Fresh Flowers in All the Traditional PlacesWhen you think of a beautiful floral arrangement, you often think of the dining room table, especially if it is holiday time. And why not? Beautiful dining centerpieces have graced our tables for centuries. Whether you are having a party, decorating for a holiday, or simply adding a beautiful touch, keep in mind that floral arrangements should compleme. . .

Cornucopia Centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day

As we enter into the month of November my thoughts turn towards Thanksgiving and everything that this wonderful holiday has to offer.It is a time for spending time with family and friends and for counting the many blessings the past year has brought to us. Like most people I like to decorate for the holidays, and Thanksgiving is no exception.Indian corn, pumpkins, gourds, wheat, fruits, nuts, a. . .

Chicken Soup for the Soil

Keeping Your Soil HealthyYour soil is the most important part of your garden, but too many people forget to nurture their soil. Soil is a living thing, containing microbes, fungi, insect life and general "creepy-crawlies" vital to plant health and vigor, as well as a receptacle for chemicals and trace elements. Doing a little soil prep every fall pays off each and every harvest.First, add more. . .

Poster, Print or Painting. Where Are You Going To Put It?

If you are redesigning or decorating a room, or house, care has to be taken where your piece of art is to be displayed. Even if you have bought a picture on impulse there are a few tips that will not only enhance the picture but its surroundings.As a good rule of thumb it is good to hang a picture so that its centre is roughly at eye level. If you have a grouping of pictures then also the centr. . .

The Great American Dream

Are you ready to starting building your dream home. House plan designs are abundant and easy to customize. Just getting started can sometimes be quite confusing.There's nothing more exciting than building your dream home. Take a look at your living area now. What would you change? The floor plan for more open space, the flooring or maybe add more windows.How about a big kitchen with a bar or a . . .

If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter,...

If you associate mold and mildew stains with the summer months, you'd be correct. The hot and humid weather provides a perfect environment for rapid mold and mildew growth. The winter however, despite cold temperatures in much of the country is not a mold and mildew-free season by any means. In fact, the development of mold and mildew stains can actually be intensified during the winter. That's. . .

All You Need To Know About The Feng Shui Bagua Map

The feng shui bagua map is an octagonal shaped map which allows you to evaluate in feng shui terms any living or working space. The feng shui bagua is a very important feng shui tool and indispensable when we wish to harmonize a place and the elements in it.According to the feng shui bagua map, each part of your house corresponds to a different life aspect. The life aspects are nine and each on. . .

Decorating For Thanksgiving - Budget Friendly Decor For T...

Decorating for Thanksgiving on a tight budget can be simple when using elements found around your home or apartment. Here are a few tips for adding that special Thanksgiving flavor to your decor for little or no money. THINK FALL COLORS. Thanksgiving decorating requires a harvest color scheme of warm yellows, golds, burnt reds, browns and greens. Think in terms of these colors when selecting ri. . .

Door Hardware - the Focal Point of the Home.

The door is the focal point of the home which is why door hardware is so important, creating a striking first impression as well as securing your property against intruders. The right door fittings and locks will enhance your property both by adding to its value, keeping it secure and improving its appearance There is a huge range of door hardware available that has been made to suit all types. . .

Flax Seed Will Add A Little Extra Flavor To Your Recipes

Flax seed will add a pleasant nutty taste to any recipe. The attractive, round reddish-brown seeds of flax add flavor, extra texture and good nutrition to your breads, cakes, muffins, and other baked goods. That’s why flax has been used for many years in multi-grain cereals and snack foods. Flax seed also will give you many vitamins that are otherwise hard to get. When cooking, be aware that f. . .

The Right Shower Curtain For Your Bathroom!

A shower curtain can add the perfect touch to any bathroom. Whether you like simple pastel colors or more elegant designs, be sure to choose the shower curtain that compliments the look of the rest of the bathroom. Fortunately, there are many shower curtain designs to choose from. Patterns of almost all kinds and a full spectrum of colors are available, so be sure to hunt around till you fin. . .

A Well Chosen Bathroom Vanity Will Make Your Bathroom Loo...

A bathroom vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom. Regardless of how well the rest of the bathroom is decorated, it just won’t look right without the right bathroom vanity cabinet. Fortunately, there are many options for someone who wants a new bathroom vanity. For example, some bathtub supplies are very popular and durable such as bathroom vanity cabinets made almost entirely out of fro. . .

Want a Garden, But Don’t have Enough Dirt Or Space? Hydro...

Hydroponics gardening is the perfect solution for anybody who wants a garden, but does not have enough space or dirt. Hydroponics gardening is, simply put, a method of growing plants using a nutrient solution instead of dirt. With hydroponics gardening, you are able to grow beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables virtually anywhere you want. In addition, hydroponics gardening requires mu. . .

Pergo Flooring Is Perfect For The Home or Office

Pergo flooring was invented more than 75 years ago, and has since become the leader in the laminate flooring industry. Pergo has been the leader in both design and laminate technology. Also, Pergo has become the leading seller of flooring in the world, so you know it is trusted worldwide. No matter what room you need flooring for, Pergo will just the perfect floor for you. If you still aren’t. . .

Laminate Flooring Is Attractive And Long Lasting

Laminate flooring is perfect for people who want to install a floor covering that is easy to install and combines the rich look of hardwood with the easy care of a laminate counter top. Laminate floors that have been constantly gaining popularity since their creation a few years ago. Laminate flooring can be properly installed on sheet vinyl flooring, concrete slab, plywood, hardwood flooring. . .

Rose Petals Add The Perfect Touch For A Wedding

Rose petals will add luxury to a wedding day or any other special occasion. Why settle for throwing ordinary rice when instead you can make the wedding so much more romantic by tossing rose petals? From your flower girl spreading a path of rose petals down the aisle to the happy couple being showered with rose petals upon completion of the services they add that little touch that will make t. . .

The Ten Most Important Feng Shui Design Tips

If you wish to learn how to manage interior design according to feng shui design guidelines, there are some major tips you must know. We wish to help you achieve a balanced and harmonic feng shui design for any environment you wish it to be. Read the next paragraphs and learn the feng shui design most important tips.1. Feng shui design should always be done having the people who will be in it i. . .

How To Make Candles

Making homemade candles can be a fun hobby, whether making them as gifts or for yourself to enjoy. Candle making usually requires some experimentation, but when you discover how to make those perfect candles, it’s well worth the effort. There are a few basic supplies needed for making most candles: wax wicks mold or containers wax melter candle making thermometer fragrances dyes putty fo. . .

Avoid the "How Much?" Hassle When Buying Firewood

How much firewood should I buy, and when should I buy it? These are questions that may lead busy homeowners to postpone ordering their firewood. Here are some answers from fireplace experts.How much: There’s no surefire way to figure out how much firewood you will need for a year, but there are some guidelines for estimating. In 1998, Vermont homeowners who heat primarily with wood burned almos. . .

DirecTV and DISH Network – How Do The Two Leading Satelli...

If you live in the U.S. and want satellite TV systems, you have basically two choices. Yes, there are other providers out there, but for most viewers, DirecTV and DISH Network offer the most choices for the least money, although Pegasus and Voom are fast becoming major contenders in the satellite television industry. Competition being what it is, both DirecTV and DISH Network offer similar se. . .

The Right Bathroom Light Fixture Will Brighten Up Your Ba...

A bathroom light fixture may be just what the doctor ordered to brighten up a dark and gloomy bathroom. House lighting is important in every room in your home, but especially in the bathroom. House lighting using too few lights in any room, especially your bathroom not only makes the bathroom look gloomy, but also may be a potential health hazard. On the other hand, too many lights may make . . .

Unique and Imaginative Wall Storage Ideas

Everyone can use more organization in their lives (except those misguided souls who alphabetize their spices, canned goods and color-coordinate their laundry supplies!). Additional wall storage can help bring that organization into your home. And original and unusual wall storage ideas can help organization become décor pizzazz! Here are some ideas to get you started: 1. If you have old fruit c. . .

Disgusted With Dialup?

Compare DSL Providers, Cable and Satellite Internet To See If One Is Right For YouDo you find yourself waiting around for your Internet pages to load or digital photo files and other attachments to transfer? Do your friends and family complain that they can never get through on the phone line because you or your kids are always online. Chances are you are still using dial up Internet service.. . .

Summer Pond Tips

Use an oxygen tester and air stones to keep your available oxygen level to at least 7.0 parts per million of dissolved oxygen in 90 degree F. water. Koi and goldfish start showing signs of stress at oxygen levels of 4.0 ppm and will start dying at 3.0 ppm. The higher the water temperature goes the less oxygen that's available. Water temperatures over 90 degrees will also affect fish health so k. . .

Hand Feeding your Koi

One of the most rewarding and entertaining things about having a Koi pond is when your fish finally start eating out of your hand. There is no better way to learn each fishes' personality and temperament than to have them nuzzle your fingers when they are hungry.The key to training your Koi to eat from your hand is patience and conditioning. Like any wild animal Koi have a natural distrust for . . .

To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond...

The important question of whether or not to add salt to your pond is often confusing for beginners and forgotten by experienced pond-keepers. To newbies and pro's alike we have this to say: "Add Salt Today to Keep the Fish Doctor Away" True, there are some negative effects of higher salt levels on plants in the pond, but overall we think it is absolutely the very best thing you can add to your . . .

Storm Warnings For Ponds

California has earthquakes; we in the south and east coast have hurricanes. One thing we all share is power outages. Ours are usually caused by storms. Most power outages last only a few hours and only happen a few times a year. A hurricane is always a threat that hopefully will never happen or have only a minimal consequence. Flooding may be more common then a power interruption and both can h. . .

Wildlife in Winter Ponds

This may seem contradictory, but you want to leave a little bit of debris in the pond when preparing it for winter. Some water gardeners net out the fish, completely drain the water and scrub out the pond, refilling it with fresh water. Frogs, tadpoles, snails and microscopic pond life need to burrow down into mud and leaves to survive the winter. Fish also hibernate on the bottom, settling in . . .

Winterizing Your Pond

For many parts of the country, it's getting to be that time of year again. Time to start thinking about getting your fish and plants ready for old man winter... Every year, as the weather gets colder and we start heading into winter, many of our customers ask us how to prepare their ponds for winter. Pond owners should be aware of several simple things to do in preparing their ponds for colder . . .

What to feed your fish during colder winter months

With air and water temperatures dropping in most parts of the country, now is the time to greatly reduce the amount of food you are feeding your fish. When your water temperature starts falling below 65 degrees, you should consider switching your fish food to a more digestible wheat germ food. At lower temperatures, the good bacteria in your fish's digestive tract become less active, and have h. . .

Why It's Important to Get Pre-Approved

Having a pre-approved mortgage will give you the confidence of knowing exactly what you can spend on a home before you start looking. You will also be protected against interest rate increases while you look for your new home.Your Mortgage Specialist will answer your questions and help you determine which financing terms and options are right for you. Your Mortgage Specialist and Real Estate Pr. . .

Making a First Impression When Selling Your Home

So you've decided to take advantage of the booming real estate market and put your house up for sale. As you know, buying a house is the most important purchase a consumer can make. So it's understandable that when prospective buyers come through your house, your home will be scrutinized like it's never been before (well not since you bought it anyway!). Everyone knows you never get a second ch. . .

5 Factors of Selling a Home

There are five major factors to consider when selling a home. These factors will greatly influence not only the final price you will get for the property, but also how quickly it will sell and how much grief you will suffer through the sale. LocationOver history it's been said the three things to look for in buying a property are (1) Location, (2) Location, and (3) Location. There are positive . . .

Mosquito Farms? Is That What Water Gardens Are?

What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The lush growth rising above the water, graceful fish darting about and the soothing sound of the water. These are just a few of the reasons people are drawn to water gardens. But when you think about adding a water feature to your garden, you are torn, because you know that a charming pond can also be a mosquito hatchery. And, everyone is conce. . .

Renew Thyself Daily, with Candles! - a Candle Review

One of my favorite quotes is a quote of a quote in Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, a writing he found on the bathtub of King Tchingthang, which Thoreau describes, " ‘Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again.’ I can understand that. Morning brings back the heroic ages.” I agree, to wake up early, enjoy the dawn, and have a productive morning . . .

Five Easy Ways to Give Your Kitchen Designer Wow!

A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even for those of us who spend most of our cooking time around the microwave!) Time spent together in the kitchen can bring a family closer together and make wonderful memories (although my own memories of doing dishes as a teenager are less than pleasant - something about dishwater being *disgusting!*) Turning your plain kitchen into something spec. . .

Real Estate: Financial Considerations $$$

Raw land as opposed to improved property is much more difficult to finance through traditional lenders. The main reasons are that it generates very little income, development costs can be expensive, there are no buildings or improvements that can be used as collateral, and it is often considered speculative. For those reasons mentioned we find that sellers are often our first choice regarding f. . .

What's Underfoot? A Quick Guide to Patio Surfaces

Patios and terraces have always been popular outdoor spaces. Whether a Parisian courtyard or a rooftop alcove, only porches and sunrooms beat out these paved (or semi-paved) retreats in a recent survey of my readers as the most ideal outside living space. Let's examine some of the wide variety of patio surfaces. Patio StonesSomteimes called flags or slabs, patio stones are flat square or rectan. . .

Why Hardwood Flooring Is Still A Good Investment

1) Hardwood flooring has a timeless air of qualityHardwood floors have decorated some of the most exclusive mansions and estates in history and still exudes a feeling of permanence and classic quality compared to manufactured floors.2) Hardwood floors are natural Hardwood floors bring the natural outdoors inside, and do not contain man-made chemicals in the wood itself. Homeowners with exclusi. . .

Why Laminate Flooring Is The Perfect Choice For Family Ho...

If you've ever had carpets or vinyl flooring you've probably had your share of stains, spills, and rips that no matter what you do, you can't quite wash out. Or perhaps the family pet has scratched the carpet edging, or even worse - had a bathroom mishap on the children's favorite playing area?Your flooring nightmares can finally end! Laminate flooring was designed to stand up to the rigors a. . .

Tips and Suggestions To Help You Plan and Build Your Own ...

Log Cabin Homes : They have come a long way. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you plan and build your own. Plus be sure to consider the floor plans and not overlook anything. Typically, log cabin homes are small structures that have little or no wasted space and are built from all natural materials. However, new trends have surfaced, making log cabin homes appear as luxurious, rustic,. . .

New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvit...

For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most of the companies producing aqueous Paint emulsions, the most preferred thickening agent was Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC). The HEC based thixotropic additives is produced by some of the renowned multi-national companies such . . .

Cosmetics & Toiletries - Global Outsourcing & Private Lab...

Hi, My name is Rasik Botadra, am currently working as an Analyst with business news magazine & new papers. I am writing this article in view of India emerging as Highly potential Global Outsourcing & Solutions Provider for finished Consumer products & General Merchandise. India has always kept her stand in Global competition right from the beginning for Finished Products such as Cosmetic & Toil. . .

Painting and Decorating Tile

Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can also be bland and uninspired. If you want to add a little color or creativity to your tile, here's how!Remember to clean your tile and let it dry before you begin any project.1. Seal both tile and surrounding grout with a water-based floor varnish. Ask your home improvement retailer for suggestions about a good water-based floor varnish for . . .

How to Choose Water Garden Plants

So the water garden bug has bitten. You’ve dug and leveled and sweated and said words you hope that no one else has heard. Now it’s time for the fun part – picking out your water garden plants! Plant varieties within these four categories are what you need to eyeball: deep-water, marginals, oxygenators, and floaters. (If you think these words are big words, just be happy we’re not talking about. . .

Maintaining Oxygen Levels in Fish and KOI Ponds

Severe environmental stressors are the most frequent causes of sudden fish death in garden ponds or other fish habitats, and the lack of oxygen in the water is the number 1 stressor of all.Two major factors contributing to fish-pond oxygen loss concern blooming algae. During daylight hours, algae make oxygen; during the night,however, the plants take oxygen. If algae are profusely blooming, the. . .